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Old King Brady wliistled.
“llow did you learn this?”
I lirougli a hostler in the Belden stable.
(.0:-.1
With this Harry detailed the story as i2,‘iV<’n him by Cl3l'k-
Old liinp; Brady llSt(I‘i"(l with the <lecpc:.:t of COHCQNL
When he had finished l1':iri;x' said:
ml‘ ‘ Ought to he done‘? It sociiis to me that we should
It is a straight
“.'Zl1'll
‘ . ..s Beldcii.”
“C<+ItainI.v.” ammi 01.1 Kim: llrzuly. "It means much
to her. Were it not for that I think it would pay us better
to keep still and await (levclai-meiits. I believe that this is
the gang coiiceriied in the murder of Amos Bclden!”
“So do I!”
But Old Kins! llrady - ll-octeil upon the fact that the loss
of the race meant miaii al ruin to Julia Ilelden.
So he decided that it would be no more than DFODGI‘ t0
warn her. ‘
With this (lf‘,Cl.:x‘lOl1 the llrzulvs turned to visit the box.
But a glance caused them to‘ start.
It was empty.
Neither Julia Beldon nor Strong were there.
W1‘.-at (lid it mean?
The detectives visited the cafe. They were not there.
Then they searched the lawn, and even went into the
betting pavilion.
“Oh. I have it!” suddenly cried Old King Brady. “The
paddock!”
The detectives quiclcly made their way thither. As they
did so they pas>‘,O<l the Members’ Clubhouse.
On the steps stood Chauncey Blew.
The villain was leisurely putting a cig:.irctte.
carelessly at the Bradys.
Of course he did not recognize in the suave Frenchman
and the snobbish Englishman the two detectives.
The detectives glanced at Blow. I-Iii: p,.mence more was-.
remarked; but its real significance did not come to them
until later.
In the paddock :1 number of aristocratic patrons were
watching the saddling of the horses.
Butterfly was there, being led restivcly up and down.
Among those. present were Julia Belden and Manly Strong.
g-Jockey Joe, in full silks, stood at one side playing with
his whip.
Old King Brady approaclicd Julia.
“Padron, mudemoiselle,” he said, with extmvapgaiit po-
liteness. “I am Monsieur lIH.l'VE‘, and I Tx'0‘.ll(l'lll((-1 much to
Speak Will! you. It is :1 very important mutter.”
Julia drew back instinctively, and Strong stepped for-
ward. ,
“Sir,” he said curtly. “Tlie lady does not know you.”
“Ah, monsieur, pardon! It is so very iinportant-I take
ze liberty.”
“Who are you?”
“I am Monsieur Ha‘-‘ve, of Paris.”
“I don’t know you. You will excuse us.”
Strong ofi'ercd his arm to Julia, but Old King Brady
leaned forward and said, in a low tone:
“Nonsense! I‘:i.y heed to my words! I have a warning
for you. l am no Frenchman, but a Secret Service de;
tective.”
Julia gave it L’,!‘lSp and turned. Strong’s face changed.
The young girl stared at Old King Brady.
“Is it true?” she (‘T-i(‘li1ll‘iIE‘(l. “Are you a detective?”
“It is true, Miss Bel<lon.j’ ‘
“Let us see your credentials,” said Sti-(mg,
Old King Brady showed his badge.
This satisfied them, and Julia asked:
“What is your business with inc?”
“You own the l'I1CI3ll0l‘Si“. Butterfly?”
“Yes.”
“You expect her to win this race?”
“We do.”
“You have backed her for one hundred and fifty thou-
sand dollars!”
Julia and Strong looked surprised.
“How did you learn that?”
“I heard you say so.”
“Well!” exclaimed Strong, “you must have good ears.
Where were we?” .
“I sat behind you in the box.”
Julia and Strong looked at each other.
deed astonished.
He glanced
They were in-
6 THE BRADYS AND JO KEY
“Won .. said Julia, “what of it? Suppose we have backed
Butterfly? ”
“Just this! You must hedge at once.
dollar you have “j8EI9T9d-
Julia gavefa little er)’ 01'
‘ :1 Ad hi.‘ 1‘ '5-
”n..3gf2: her‘: Climn,” he said, “we know better than that.
VVe ‘have the best jockey in the country to ride l.‘.uttei'[ly‘.o’
“Yes; if he chooses to ride to W111; but he “"11 not “0
50 t9'day"’ .4 .4‘ .4.
Julia stepped forward and grasped the old ‘lQLeCL1‘xU-5
arm. ,
Her ‘beautiful face was (‘l‘1alll(‘,,Y>'lllte. I.‘ . 1 “I LN
“Who are you to tell me that. she whisoeie-.. 1 ‘.'i..t.lc
had a, presentiment that it might be so. Tell me 110 Mu 1-
Tell me all!” . , .
-:1 win do 50," said Old King Bmdy. “There is a. plot
between Trainer Smitih and this jockey to throw the race!‘
Julia’s face hardened, and her eyes gleamed In a sum-7:0
way. , n
“ low do you know this? ”
“ Iy partner overheard the plot! , I
Julia gazed intently at Old king Brady 3 moment-
Then her face cleared. .
“I don’t believe it!” she said. .
a clever game to induce us to tlj." 117103191’ .l0i‘1"fXV
You will lose every
dismr;'. But Strong only
“You are tryinz 10 Dlil."
and so not
beaten. I’m not so easily deceived, my man! Th:it’s all!”
Before Old King Brady could say or do aught in further
protest she did a most astounding thing.
Putting up her right hand, She cried, in an imperious
way:
“Ward, come here!” .
The jockey at once crossed the paddock, and removing
his hat, stood before her.
“What is it, Miss Belden?” I
“She bent an accusingsgaze upon him. ’
“I have heard a strange report about you.’
“About me?"
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“I have been told that you mean to pull Butterfly in this
race!”
Jockey J oe’s face for a moment was Dllfple Witll SU1‘D1‘1SG
and rage. .
“Who told you such a lie as that?” he demanded anprrily.
“This man, who calls himself a Secret Service detective.”
It might be said that the Bradys were fully as surprised
as Jockey Joe at this most remarkable proceeding‘.
Jockey Joe fixed his greenish eyes upon Old King Brady
in a quick, searching way. Then he exclaimed:
“Do you mean that frog-cater? What does he know
about me ‘.”’ ‘
“hladam,” said Old King Brady st.i'f'i‘ly, “I must say that
this conduct on your part is quite ill-advised, and ”
“Is it?” said Miss Belden, with a scornful laugh. “It may
seem so to you; but I want to determine whether you
have told me the truth or not. It looks very much as if
you had lied to me maliciously and absolutely.”
Triumph shone in Jockey Joe’s face.
“I don’t know the cove!” he growled. “Don't you take
no stock in what he says, Miss Belden. But if you doubt
me at all, put another jockey in my place now! I’m ready
to give up the mount. But if I don’t ride Butterfly I'll
have the mount on Hopeful. So do as you think best.”
The Bradys were defeated.
They saw this at once, and there was no appeal from it.
CHAPTER V.
THE GREAT RACE.
Miss Belden turned a contemptuous gaze upon Old King
Brady. . '
“Your little game did not work!” she said. “I advise
you to try it next time upon some easier subject.”
“Madam,” cried Old King Brady, “you will repent those
words. You are going straight to ruin! I warn you...-”
“Enough! I'll listen to no more of your talk. Ward you
have the mount on Butterfly. Win this race, and there
is five thousand dollars for you.”
Jockey Joe’s eyes blazed with triumph.
Julia and her lover turned away, and Old King Brady
was face to face with the cunning jockey.
“Well, my fine detective!” gritted Jockey Joe. “You
thought you'd upset me, did you? You come to Sheepshmd